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If this is inappropriate for this form just remove it an let me know where would be best to ask this. I am feeling a bit frustrated. In one of the recent videos I watched it said “since you have probably learned a few songs already which probably involved just basic kind of strumming and singing along with it.” – But I’m new to the Ukulele and thought I would be taught those basics here and the additional techniques.
I saw there is an intermediate version of the warm up. Is there a beginner warm up section? Perhaps scales, or chords, or a song, chorded songs, sing along to play? I can dedicated time to the beginner items as well as the current lessons of finger picking pieces each week. I would like to have some fun and play a song using these techniques.
I have been forcing myself to stay in the beginner course and not advancing until it is somewhat being played correctly. Do I need to do something different and then come back to these lessons? I was gifted a number of ukulele song books they have the chords and notes of the sung notes but most don’t have strumming patterns. I would like to also like to sing the melody while playing background for myself.
Is there a routine of daily items I should play or do in order to strengthen my ability to play the chords and have dexterity in both hands? I’d like this to be fun as I learn. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi @xerxes.
I can feel your frustration, and I can relate to it. I definitely remember being a beginner and everyone talked about all these techniques that were supposed to be obvious but they weren’t obvious to ME. I remember thinking “everyone disparages the island strum, but I can’t even DO the island strum!”
I started learning long before I found RC101. I did some stuff on Ukulele Underground, Ukulele Hunt, private lessons, the Ukulele Teacher Youtube channel, and so on. It took me years, but I gradually pieced it together. Once I got here, I already knew a lot of the really basic stuff that they talked about, so I can’t direct you to where to find it on this site, but I’m sure @andrew will be on here to help with that at some point.
With regard to strumming patterns and singing, while there is a little bit of stuff here, that isn’t the main focus of RC101. I vaguely remember Matt talked about finding strumming patterns in one of his live lessons, but I just looked through the back catalogue of live lessons and I couldn’t find it. Maybe @andrew can direct you where to go. It takes a bit of demonstration, so you’ll really need a video to see how it’s done. I first learned it through the beginners course on UU+, but I’m not even sure if it’s the same anymore. They’ve changed a whole bunch of things over there.
Anyway, try not to stress if you don’t get it all right away. It takes time. And don’t be afraid to look at other sources as well. There are lots of teachers that have free lessons on Youtube, including Matt and Chris from this website.
Another resource would be to book a few one-on-one lessons with Stephen. That way, he can answer your questions directly so you don’t get too frustrated trying to look things up.
Hi @xerxes, Robin wrote a brilliant response which I agree with and hope you found helpful. Our lessons are geared more-so for the fingerstyle player than the singer/strummer. While we do have quite a few singing and strumming lessons up, most will be geared for folks that want to do something beyond the beginner level.
Robin mentioned UU and the Uke Teacher, but I’d also recommend Katie with One Music School and Bernadette Teaches Music on YouTube for beginner-friendly singing/strumming lessons.
Our Beginner’s Course will prep you from day 1 (how to hold the uke) all the way to playing your first fingerstyle songs (using: fingerpicking and strumming). I recall offering some advice for you in this forum post which was related to the Beginner’s Course.
Which BTW, I see you’ve made excellent progress! You’re into the performance song modules now. That’s where the fun starts 🙂
In that post, I recommended setting up a practice schedule that consisted of 3 parts. The 3rd part was songs. Besides the tunes in the Beginner’s Course, I’d add this lesson to your song list. It’s our beginner-friendly lesson that teaches you how to sing and strum.
As far as warm-up exercises, check out this lesson. It’s a great warm up tool that builds dexterity in your fretting hand. Plus, you can do it to a metronome to work on timing 🙂
You mentioned:
I was gifted a number of ukulele song books they have the chords and notes of the sung notes but most don’t have strumming patterns.
A lot of simple songs can be played using the Island Strum. But it doesn’t work for every song. If you need a bit of help with the tunes in that book, this is something Stephen can help you with in a one-on-one private lesson.
I’d also encourage you to join our February Challenge. The beginner blues strumming tune from the Beginner’s Course is one of the songs you can pick for this month. Challenges are a great way to stay motivated as it gives you a goal to aim for, which is to learn a song within a month and share your performance with our community 🙂
Hello, @xerxes !
I started my ukulele journey 10 months ago accidentally with Bernadette Teaches Music on YouTube and she really teaches good beginner techniques and strumming with songs. Island strum took me 2 weeks everyday practice to settle in. Of course I took a peek on RC101 lessons too but I saw they are too advanced at the moment. I saved some of them for future.
About a month ago I noticed that I can play RC101 beginner lessons better and even some intermediate lessons with more effort. I was so happy I had tears in my eyes. This little instrument has ability to take away my anger and pain and replace it with joy! It is going to take time and practice but is totally worth it!
You said you would like to strum chords and sing with it- it sounds like very good starting point.Take care and have a good time with your ukulele!
I wanted to thank everyone for their replies. You have given me great information to look into and I am greatly appreciative of your advice and time.
Hi @xerxes, I would like to add to the suggestions above Cynthia Lin’s Ukulele tutorials. She is singing very beautiful and teaching you the chords and how to strum. So you can either just play along or also sing along (which is not so easy doing both in parallel). For me that was perfect for starting to play Ukulele 2 years (and 2 months) ago. But I’m super glad I found Rock Class 101 later, to learn all those fine techniques and especially how to play melodies / chord melodies as I am not a singer. I hope that helps, please, please do not be frustrated, Ukulele should be all about fun!!!
Andrea
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